Rules for New Year resolutions

With the start of a new year, the season of new year resolutions is upon us once again. The dawn of a new year is the perfect time to try something new and the resolutions you set up might just be the magic bullet that your life needs. Here are some rules to keep in mind while brainstorming about a resolution, they might just help you to commit to something that is more practicable.

Rules for New Year resolutions <Courtesy: Tim Mossholder>

1. Have specific measures around your resolutions: For Example: 
1. If you want to lose weight then your resolution must target a specific number of kgs/pounds you are willing to lose. You should also have a date by which you are hoping to achieve that target.
2. If you want to buy a house, then put a date around when you would like to start house hunting and when you would like to close the deal by.
2. Break up resolutions which center around large goals into smaller ones: Let's say you want to lose 20 kgs in a year. Think about how about many kgs you need to lose in a month in order reach your target by the end of the year. The number will roughly work out to around 1.7 kgs/month. Setting a monthly target will not only help you assess how well you are doing from the perspective of your overall goal but will also help you stay motivated by celebrating quick wins every month.
3. Set a resolution which centers around solving long standing problems: If something has been pulling you down for way too long, try to ensure that you don't allow it to fester for one more year. More often than not these perennial issues also eat into the enthusiasm we have for committing to new resolutions. Therefore do not procrastinate and focus on what need's fixing before building something new.
4. Attack big problems upfront: Setting dates doesn't mean that you resolve to complete everything only by the end of the year. See that you target to target a big ticket item for the first quarter or at least the first half of the year. Even if you get stuck somewhere, you would have uncovered potential stumbling blocks relatively early in the process. While you strategize how to overcome those hurdles, you can allocate time for the other items on your list.  
5. Don't ignore low hanging fruits: Finally a resolution doesn't always need to be big, mean or tough. Sometimes you never get to what's always within reach. 
1. If there's a car at home and you haven't done driving before then start taking driving lessons. Who knows this simple step might help you with your dream of taking road trips. 
2. If there's an aquatic center nearby then take up that swimming lesson which you have been avoiding. Next time you visit a resort you might end up having a great time in the water rather than shying away from it as you have done before.
3. If there's a repair that you have been putting off, make time and get to it. You will be amazed at the satisfaction you receive when something starts working fine again. It will make you wonder why you didn't get to it sooner.

This year be resolute about your resolutions and don't let anything come in the way of attaining them. Create a list which is a harmonious mix of the issues on hand and the goals you need to set in order to progress. Most importantly cultivate habits which will allow you to take up a personal responsibility for attaining these goals. This is your list, your life and you are doing this to upgrade yourself. I don't know of a cause which is more worthy than that in life.

Until Next Time,

Wishing You All a Happy New Year,

Your Life Analyst,

Chaitanya J.J.